Florida Gators

Florida Gators

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Florida HC Jim McElwain indicated that the team does not plan on burning the redshirt of freshman QB Feleipe' Franks.

While Florida has had its issues at quarterback this season, both Austin Appleby and Luke Del Rio (shoulder) are expected to be available as signal-calling options for Florida's Outback Bowl showdown with Iowa. With Appleby and Del Rio in the potential playing-fold, there is no real need for the Gators to burn Franks' redshirt. The 6-foot-6, 219-pounder ranked as ESPN 300's No. 65 overall prospect for the 2016 cycle and figures to battle it out for 2017 starting honors over the offseason.

The Gators are losing Cronkite primarily because there were too many mouths to feed in the team's four-tailback rotation. The 5-foot-11, 204-pound Cronkrite seized the starting job during preseason camp, but an injury suffered during a mid-August scrimmage marked the beginning of the end of his time with the program. He missed several practices and ultimately tumbled down the depth chart. The former stud recruit had only 75 carries across two years at Florida, converting them into 302 yards and four touchdowns.

NFL Media draft analyst Chad Reuter noted that Florida sophomore WR Antonio Callaway's "ability to snatch the ball and make hay after the catch made an impression on scouts [during the SEC Championship Game]."

Callaway finished Saturday's SEC Championship Game blowout defeat having caught four passes for 63 yards and a touchdown. Relatively modest numbers, yes, but the touchdown was a minor thing of beauty. On Florida's first possession, the 5-foot-11, 198-pound sophomore extended for the five-yard catch in the back of the end zone and held on using an iron grip. He won't be draft-eligible for another season, but scouts are already keeping an eye on the Gator sophomore. Reuter writes that Callaway possesses "good straight-line speed and agility."

Florida sophomore WR Antonio Callaway caught four passes for 63 yards and a touchdown in Saturday's 54-16 loss to Alabama in the SEC Championship Game.

Alabama had not surrendered a touchdown since they played Texas A&M on October 22. Alas, that beautiful streak has finally come to an end. Callaway was the young man to break the spell, extending for a five-yard pass in the back of the end zone and showing off nice hand-strength to hang onto the ball. That capped off Florida's first drive. They would be out-scored 54-9 the rest of the way. After nabbing a touchdowns in each of Florida's first two games, the 5-foot-11, 198-pound sophomore had been held out of the end zone in each of the Gators' last 10 contests until he finally came through in Saturday's SEC title bout.

From a receiving perspective, Lewis has not been an asset since his suspension for the opening game for "behavior that is not acceptable." On the year Lewis has 16 catches for 174 yards and two touchdowns.

TFY Draft Insider's Tony Pauline "doubt[s]" that Florida redshirt junior DT Caleb Brantley makes it out of the second round if he declares for the Draft.

Brantley had five tackles, three TFL and forced a fumble against LSU on Saturday. "More importantly Brantley beat up the very talented interior offensive line of LSU. Slightly undersized, he comes off the ball with a great first step and easily moves in every direction of the field," Pauline wrote. ESPN's Mel Kiper believes Brantley "could be a bigger name in the NFL than he was in college."

Florida redshirt junior DT Caleb Brantley had three tackles for loss and a forced fumble against LSU on Saturday.

The fumble occurred when LSU had a first-and-goal in the second quarter. "Brantley's issue is consistency," ESPN's Mel Kiper wrote. "At 6-foot-2, 300 pounds, he flashes the upside and talent of a top-10 pick. But he only had 3.5 tackles for loss in the previous nine games this season, and he isn't dependably disruptive. Brantley could be a bigger name in the NFL than he was in college." The analyst promised that you'll see Brantley's name on the next update of his Big Board.

Scarlett has turned up the heat over the last two weekends. In addition to Saturday's 108 yards, he also busted up South Carolina for 134 yards last Saturday. This, after managing just one 100-yard game in Florida's first eight games. He will try to keep the good times rolling in next Saturday's showdown with Florida State.

Florida freshman WR Tyrie Cleveland caught three passes for 124 yards and a touchdown in Saturday's 16-10 win over LSU.

Cleveland wasn't doing much on volume, but he had one of the smoothest (and longest) touchdown catches you will ever see. With 9:10 remaining in the third quarter and Florida backed up against its own goal line, QB Austin Appleby uncorked a deep pass for Cleveland down the right sideline. He caught it against tight coverage, then shouldered off the would-be tackler, kept his balance and sprinted to the end zone for the 98-yard touchdown. The 6-foot-3, 190-pound freshman has caught 11 passes for 263 yards and two touchdowns in nine games. If Florida can ever get their passing game in order, Cleveland has the talent to post big numbers.

As far as indiscretions go, this one is silly enough. Per the university police department, complaint was received of scooter damage upwards of $800. Unfortunately, no details regarding the exact incident that precipitated these charges are currently available. Pineiro was not arrested for the incident and at this juncture, it looks like he should be able to play on Saturday unless a late punishment is handed down.

TFY Draft Insider's Tony Pauline wrote that "there’s an undercurrent in the scouting community which believes [Florida junior CB Quincy] Wilson will be the better pro [than Teez Tabor]."

Here's an interesting one, as Pauline noted that "Wilson has better size th[a]n his teammate and also offers next level ball skills." The draft guru believes that the 40-yard dash will be "crucial" for the 6-foot-1, 213-pound junior's stock should he declare for the draft (which Pauline thinks he will). This season, Wilson has registered 21 tackles (3.0 for loss), a sack and three interceptions. He has picked off six passes in his Gators career.

Florida redshirt senior S Marcus Maye will miss the remainder of the 2016 season due to a broken arm.

Maye broke his arm in the first quarter of Saturday's win over South Carolina. Said HC Jim McElwain, "I just feel horrible, but he’s done so much." The 6-foot, 200-pound redshirt senior finishes his aborted 2016 season having registered 49 tackles (1.5 for loss), a sack and an interception over the course of eight games. McElwain indicated that he does not believe that Maye's draft stock will be adversely affected by the injury.

Florida sophomore RB Jordan Scarlett rushed for 134 yards on 20 carries in the school's 20-7 win over South Carolina.

The 134 yards are a career high. Scarlett's 20 carries were the second most of his season behind the school's victory over Georgia a few weeks ago, when the sophomore received 26 carries. Expect Scarlett to be a focal point moving forward with Austin Appleby at quarterback.

Florida senior QB Austin Appleby completed 17 of 21 attempts for 201 yards, two touchdowns and an interception in the school's 20-7 win over Florida.

This is the third time Appleby filled in as a starter this season for the injured Luke Del Rio, and "efficient" is a great description of his performance. Appleby added another 34 yards on the ground. It is fitting that, on Senior Day, Appleby helps Florida beat the school's old coach in Will Muschamp.